Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are among the eight possible Academy teams that Reading could host in the 2024/25 EFL Trophy. The Royals, who returned to the minor competition last season after their relegation to the third tier, were knocked out by Brighton and Hove Albion Under-21 at the quarter-final stage last season. Arsenal, bossed by former Royals coach Mehmet Ali, were dispatched 5-2 in the group stage. For the coming season, it has already been confirmed that Newport County and Cheltenham
Bayern Munich are hoping to reach an agreement with Fulham over the potential transfer of Joao Palhinha, but remain significantly short of the Premier League club’s valuation of the midfielder.
EFL veteran Billy Sharp has made an emotional return to League Two Doncaster Rovers at the age of 38. The top scorer in the history of the Championship, Sharp is best known for his long association with boyhood club Sheffield United. However, he also netted 45 goals in 102 appearances for the Rovers in spells between 2009 and 2014.